LOS ANGELES – 'Today' show anchor Matt Lauer has been under siege recently, as staff changes and ailing ratings have tarnished the image of the star of the once unbeatable morning news show.
However, a source closely connected to the show told FOX411’s Pop Tarts column that Lauer’s standing at NBC is safe and sound, and the network has no intention of replacing him.
“Matt will not lose his contract,” said the source. “Matt has a lot of pull in terms of who comes in and who doesn’t, and there is just no way they would get rid of him.”
The source said the show's biggest concern is that the public is resistant to forgive his perceived role in the axing of popular co-host Ann Curry earlier in 2012.
But new executive-in-charge of the program, Alexandra Wallace, who recently replaced the show's producer Jim Bell, was quick to shoot down any rumors that Lauer had anything to do with the show's recent missteps.
"There is absolutely no truth to this. There have been some recent outrageous claims regarding Matt and the 'Today' show, and an awful lot of piling on from nameless, faceless sources," she told The New York Post. "These stories are wrong and irresponsible."
Lauer reportedly earns $25 million a year, and last year signed an extension just before audience numbers started to dip. "Today" had topped morning show ratings for more than a decade before "Good Morning America" took the top slot earlier this year.
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